Mitsubishi Electric has become a major sponsor of MTV. The deal is aimed at promoting Mitsubishi’s HDTV offering.

Mitsubishi Electric has agreed to become the charter sponsor of MHD, the new high-definition music channel from MTV Networks Music Group. The deal applys worldwide.

MHD will launch Jan. 16, 2006 and offer high-definition content within the “musical sensibilities” of the MTV Networks Music Group’s MTV, VH1 and CMT brands. The channel will offer a mix of musical genres including hip-hop, rock, country, pop, reggaeton and soul.

Mitsubishi will sponsor “original music-based programming.” The channel will also carry HDTV acquisitions and original content from the MTV, VH1 and CMT family of channels, MTV Networks said.

Mitsubishi will be the title sponsor of MHD original programming including “MHD Top 10” and “MHD Video Stew.” Additionally, Mitsubishi Electric will be branded on MHD programming menus and in television commercials.

Mitsubishi equipment will be used to outfit production facilities at a new MHD studio in Vail, Colo., and for background displays on-set. In addition, a “Powered by Mitsubishi Electric” banner will appear on MHD tune-in promos.

The two companies previously worked together in 2004, when they unveiled “the world’s largest high-definition screen built by Mitsubishi Electric for MTV Networks” across from MTV Studios and MTV Networks’ company headquarters in New York’s Times Square.